Good list.

Respectfully disagree on the coilover point though. The Tein SS that I've been riding on have been the most comfortable non-OEM set up I've tried. I've had Tokico Blues and Illuminas paired with H-techs and Progress, and have ridden in Maximas with Eibachs and H&Rs. I think the key is the suspension travel limitation, or lack of with coilovers, and a proper set up. With the correct spring rates and damper settings, and the assumption that the car isn't going to be slammed, coilovers can provide an extremely comfortable ride. The Teins have also proven to be durable and don't require excessive maintenance. I've heard good things about the BC Racing coilovers, which are much more affordable than the Teins and JICs.

I definitely agree that motor mount inserts are not going to help, which is why I only suggested sway bar and shifter bushings as good starter mods that you can feel.

Headers will depend - ask anyone who has ridden or heard my car with headers + Frankencar catback or even a Maxima with headers + b-pipe + stock muffler - you can barely tell it has an aftermarket exhaust, its about the same volume as a stock G/Z. Of course, slap on a straight through muffler like Cattman or Megan and it will be deafening, no matter how big your resonator is.

 

Yeah, I realized that after re-reading my post, then edited it while you were quoting me, adding in the STS and some cost estimates. Don't you hate it when that stuff happens?

I'm going to go OT for a moment and continue this line about ES bushings on the FSB. In April, I'm having HP Blues installed (w/OEM springs), and was at one point considering replacing the FSB end-links at the same time. And... if replacing the end-links, I was going to replace the FSB bushings as well. Well, after much discussion here, I backed off on that plan, under the premise that if it's not broken, don't fix it. (Ditto for the ball joints, and tie-rod ends.)

So (big lead-in, huh?) my OT moment to you, PuppetMaster: do you really think replacing the 23mm bushings on the SE's FSB is worth the effort? And if so, would I need to replace the end-links anyway, since the FSB has to be taken down?

 

I'm not PuppetMaster, but I'll give this a try.

The front sway bar need not be removed to replace the end links. Also, replacing the sway bar bushings is not terribly difficult (lift car, remove front wheels, remove bushing holder thingy), so if they become a problem they can be easily replaced later. Therefore, I'd leave them alone.

Final note, the ES sway bar bushings are likely a minimal improvement, perhaps unnoticeable if the current bushings are not worn out.

 

Well, there are these:



...and these:



How exactly would you replace them without slipping them down the bar?

 

 

find the guy on here that cut his es bushings to get them in he'll get them on for ya

 

[quote=avciugroar;7404688]Everyone, thanks for all--err... MOST of the posts, you guys are really helpful.

Lets see, priorities... #1 would be better straight-line acceleration. #2 would be better handling. I would want to put more money in acceleration than handling, but still do something...


Headers and exhaust would be a great improvement, but I REALLY want to stay away from having a car that can be heard, I love a car thats fast and totally quiet. When you say have a cut out welded with the headers, where exactly are you talking?

Remember, you're helping an inexperienced person here. I've just learned a little bit by reading, and not hands on!

quote]

I hear ya on the headers making too much noise, but Im thinking that if you stick the with OEM Muffler, you shouldnt have a problem. Thats something that a mechanic told me. Although it might kick up the noise a bit, it wont sound like a rice burner or anything.

Im like you chief. Although I work for a Dealership (Ford/Subaru) and have ever since I started selling parts (6 yrs now), all I know is dealer items and this and that. I would love to find a way to make my max sound like a 350Z though. I personally am about to get the front cat (cause its going out) and going to get headers whenever i get my income tax in. Also going with some Tokico struts cause my car needs them.

Let us know!!!

 

I don't know what application those ES bushings are for, but the lower pictures (stock replacement) are split. You can see the seam on the side of the bushing towards the back.

In fact, I've never encountered a sway bar bushing that wasn't split as all bars (except multi-piece) have bends which would cause problems sliding a close-fit bushing over.

 

Split? Are you sure? I could see the seam as part of the mold process, but to actually split the bushing? Yikes! That seems wrong. But you've had hands-on experience with the FSB, so I guess that's it then. Here are the 2 links for those 2 sets of bushings:

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...sp?prod=7.5125
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...od=MOOG-K90587

The second set that you recognized are called "FSB Frame Bushings", and apply to all model maximas... and you're right, they aren't ES, they're MOOG parts. The first set comes in 22mm and 23mm apertures, because the SE model uses a slightly thicker FSB, and those are Energy Suspension parts.

I haven't gotten under the car yet to scope any of this out. That happens next month.

(OP, sorry about this. I think this segue is almost played out.)

 

Back on topic, so that I'm not just a complete post *****... bigpopaj369 just made a brilliant suggestion in another thread that the OP might find interesting with regard to mods: Upgrade the audio system.

 

GAB (free), NWP intake spacers and block plate, timing bump to 17 degrees, rear anti-roll bar, FSTB and OBX headers.

 

So now, I can do all these less-expensive mods (RSB FSTB STS etc) or I can just go big and get some Teins... big decision

Does anyone know how to get Boss Chens these days? Larrio hasnt been on the org since Jan 08...

I searched a bunch a while back, and was in contact with an exhaust shop to find some way to make a system so the maxima sounds like a G35 with its remarkable unmistakable tone... unfortunately, nothing could be done, the shop had no idea what to do!

and if I stick with the stock muffler, but get headers, will that even help? Isnt it true that if theres a full exhaust system on there, say 3", but theres a 2" (or whatever the stock diameter is) muffler, the air wont flow like it should?

Its all good, I'm just excited my first post made a page 2!

Audio system has already been upgraded... that was the first thing I did! I put a JVC KW-NX7000, and two 10's I already had, and it kicks pretty well. Im still searching for that color that matches the TE silver on the inside to paint the trim... I already tried to paint it, and while its still not even close, its much better than it was before...



I'd do the timing advance, I've read a bunch on it, but the dealerships around here suck... the people that work at them are theiving bastards, and I live in south louisiana, so if you arent kin to someones babys daddys uncles cousins brothers mothers best friend, you cant get in on anything.

 

If you want straight line accel but not loud here is what you need:

Short Ram Intake
OBX Equal length headers
NWP VIAS Delete and Intake spacers

Those items should net in or around $1000 total, will give you some real nice gain and will still be pretty quiet if you keep the stock muffler.

I have all of those exept the spacers and the gains are very nice, the car is not loud exept it has a nice growl at WOT

 

Well you could go with GAB+NWP spacers+vias blockoff and OBX headers for a pretty sizable power increase without much noticeable sound increase. Keep the stock exhuast/cat.

Lowering springs will make your ride feel a little stiffer, but not much. I would go with a set of lowering springs for now on stock struts, and replace the stockers when they start to go. It's worth the looks alone!

 

I think I'm going to go with some Tein SS coilovers for now...I know its out of my $1000 budget, but only by 200 dollars, and I have a friend who is willing to install them for me... I'll just tap into what I was gonna use to pay off my credit cards lol.

Everything else that has been suggested, I can do in the future, but I might as well take care of the large expense since its so hard for me to save that much cash from my paychecks and spend it on my car...

 

Just so you are aware.... coilovers will not improve your acceleration

 

WHAT?!??

 

+1 This is by far the best way to spend your money. dont change the exhaust for a bit because then the cops can hear you comming in the back woods. Noise travels so far at night. Tien coils or S-Tech springs/struts and sway bars. Just call Brian at cattman for the sway bars and find a set of used springs or coils. You should be able to get most of that or even all of it if your patient.

Get to know how your car handle's and reacts to different situations before you add a bunch of power to it.

 

Agreed. That's what I'll do. How often do you see a set of used teins in the classifieds? and how quick do they go when they do show up? wish me all the luck in the world, cause I'll need it. I will probably wait a few days, get frustrated, and just purchase them new lol.

 

Number of posts per page is a user configured option. Set it to 10 and you'll probably plotz.

 

Man i wish I still worked for Nissan (reason why i started loving dem nissans). I would have been hooking everyone up. I used to work at one like 4 yrs ago back in deep south texas.... if only ....

 

Yeah but I had it set to 50 per page, and it still made this second page!

Do you know anyone between our two locations that gotz the skillz?

 

Yes, I think the SB bushings are worth the effort. Steering will feel much tighter and more precise. I think I need to check my steering components myself - endlinks, tie rod ends, etc. I'm getting a slight knocking/thumping then the wheel is full lock left. Ugh.

 

Ask your local .Orgers or Nissan enthusiasts. People with the Autoenginuity (must have the Nissan enhanced upgrade) or UpRev Cipher tools can also advance base timing, so certain Altima, Z/G, Titan folks, etc might be able to help too.

 

Bushings are on order. Thanks for the advice, PuppetMaster.

I moved this OT discussion back here where it's more appropriate:

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...22mm-23mm.html

 

Suspension and brakes will make your car drive much nicer.

 

im currently trying to find mods for the same price. i have a set of used s-tech springs if you want em pm me. they are off the car and ready to sell
it will not allow me to post in the classifieds so you would have first priority on em.

 

 

nice breakdown..this was helpful even on myself because im looking to do some mods to my exhaust n some others

 

I just bought some megan racing coilovers, and a stillen classic lip easy 1000 spent

 

Tokico Illuminas are not $377 those are the blues. I was about to freak because I just purchased the illuminas for $500